How they Voted for the Early Advantage of Children in the 105th Legislature 2 nd Session

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1 Nebraska Legislature: How they Voted for the Early Advantage of Children in the 105th Legislature 2 nd Session 2018 Dear Nebraska Friends and Colleagues, August 2018 The Holland Children s Movement has assembled a list of selected legislative votes from the 105th Legislative Session. These selected votes are from bills that pertained to the Holland Children s Movement s priorities related to early childhood education, quality health care, and economic opportunity. We have included a percentage of each senator s support of these priorities based on their votes on specific legislative measures throughout and cumulatively with their Legislative Scorecard results, when applicable. These voting records do not cover all legislative actions and proposals of interest to Nebraska children, such as committee votes or bills introduced. In that regard, we would like to commend Senator Sue Crawford for introducing paid sick and safe leave legislation, Senator Kate Bolz for introducing legislation to expand the child and dependent care tax credit, Senator Sara Howard for introducing legislation to expand access to mental health care to minors, and Senator Patty Pansing Brooks for introducing legislation to lead on equal pay for equal work. We are pleased to report that more than half of all senators voted in support of the position of the Holland Children s Movement 80% or more of the time. This includes nineteen senators who received a perfect score of 100% for their efforts in the 2018 session. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our senators for their dedication to public service and our gratitude for the actions taken to prioritize Nebraska children and families, especially in the face of difficult financial times. On top of the fiscal challenges, the 2018 legislative session presented other uphill battles like LB 947, a tax bill that would have benefited the wealthy while doing little for middle-class working families. In addition, LB 873, introduced by Senator Justin Wayne, and LB 998, introduced by Senator Lynne Walz, would have respectively advanced quality early childhood education opportunities in local communities, and provided for increased services for children s behavioral and mental health at no cost to the state. Unfortunately, both bills were met by the veto of the governor only after the legislature had adjourned sine die and could take no further action. Despite these challenges, we are fortunate in Nebraska to rely on a nonpartisan Unicameral legislature that seeks to serve the interest of all Nebraskans, regardless of party affiliation. Moving forward, we look to continue to support proposals that advance the Holland vision to make Nebraska the national beacon in economic security and opportunity for all children and working families. Sincerely, Hadley Richters Chief Executive Officer

2 2017 Legislative Voting Record Senator (Term Limited) LB248 LB335 AM 703 LB335 LB358 LB427 LB461 Gen Joni Albrecht (2024) P/NV Roy Baker (2022) P/NV Carol Blood (2024) P/NV Kate Bolz (2020) + + P/NV Bruce Bostelman (2024) Lydia Brasch (2018) - EX + - P/NV Tom Brewer (2024) P/NV Tom Briese (2024) P/NV P/NV P/NV Ernie Chambers (2020) Robert Clements Joni Craighead (2022) - - EX EX + 33 Sue Crawford (2020) P/NV Laura Ebke (2022) + + EX Steve Erdman (2024) Curt Friesen (2022) - P/NV + - P/NV Suzanne Geist (2024) Mike Groene (2022) P/NV P/NV Steve Halloran (2024) Matt Hansen (2022) + + P/NV Burke Harr (2018) + EX P/NV Mike Hilgers (2024) EX Robert Hilkemann (2022) Sara Howard (2020) Dan Hughes (2022) P/NV Rick Kolowski (2020) P/NV Mark Kolterman (2022) P/NV Bob Krist (2018) John Kuehn (2022) P/NV Tyson Larson (2018) - P/NV + P/NV EX - - P/NV 33 Brett Lindstrom (2022) P/NV Lou Ann Linehan (2024) P/NV John Lowe (2024) John McCollister (2022) P/NV Mike McDonnell (2024) NV Adam Morfeld (2022) + + P/NV John Murante (2020) P/NV P/NV EX EX Patty Pansing-Brooks (2022) P/NV Dan Quick (2024) Merv Riepe (2022) - P/NV Jim Scheer (2020) EX Paul Schumacher Jim Smith (2018) P/NV EX John Stinner (2022) EX + + EX Theresa Thibodeau (Appointed/2018) Tony Vargas (2024) P/NV Lynne Walz (2024) Dan Watermeier (2020) - P/NV + - P/NV Justin Wayne (2024) + + EX + + P/NV Matt Williams (2022) Anna Wishart (2024) P/NV LB327 MO143 LB Score% Key: Supported HCM position ( + ) Opposed HCM position ( - ) Present/Did Not Vote (P/NV ) Excused ( EX )

3 Legislative Voting Record Senator (Term Limited) AM2065 (LB768 & LB880) LB803 LB873 LB 947 Bracket Motion LB998 LB1130 Bracket Motion 2018 Score% Career + Career - Cum % Joni Albrecht (2024) % Roy Baker (2022) + P/NV P/NV P/NV + P/NV % Carol Blood (2024) EX + P/NV % Kate Bolz (2020) P/NV + P/NV % Bruce Bostelman (2024) % Lydia Brasch (2018) EX % Tom Brewer (2024) % Tom Briese (2024) + + P/NV % Ernie Chambers (2020) P/NV % Robert Clements % Joni Craighead (2022) % Sue Crawford (2020) EX + A/NV % Laura Ebke (2022) - + P/NV - + EX % Steve Erdman (2024) P/NV % Curt Friesen (2022) EX + P/NV P/NV P/NV % Suzanne Geist (2024) % Mike Groene (2022) P/NV % Steve Halloran (2024) P/NV % Matt Hansen (2022) EX % Burke Harr (2018) P/NV % Mike Hilgers (2024) % Robert Hilkemann (2022) + + P/NV - + P/NV % Sara Howard (2020) P/NV + P/NV % Dan Hughes (2022) - + P/NV % Rick Kolowski (2020) P/NV + P/NV % Mark Kolterman (2022) P/NV % Bob Krist (2018) P/NV % John Kuehn (2022) % Tyson Larson (2018) - EX - EX % Brett Lindstrom (2022) % Lou Ann Linehan (2024) P/NV + P/NV % John Lowe (2024) % John McCollister (2022) P/NV + P/NV % Mike McDonnell (2024) P/NV % Adam Morfeld (2022) EX % John Murante (2020) P/NV % Patty Pansing-Brooks (2022) P/NV + EX % Dan Quick (2024) P/NV + P/NV % Merv Riepe (2022) P/NV % Jim Scheer (2020) P/NV % Paul Schumacher P/NV P/NV % Jim Smith (2018) P/NV % John Stinner (2022) EX % Theresa Thibodeau (Appointed/2018) P/NV + P/NV % Tony Vargas (2024) EX % Lynne Walz (2024) P/NV % Dan Watermeier (2020) EX P/NV % Justin Wayne (2024) % Matt Williams (2022) P/NV % Anna Wishart (2024) EX % Key: Supported HCM position ( + ) Opposed HCM position ( - ) Present/Did Not Vote (P/NV ) Excused ( EX )

4 NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE ONE HUNDRED FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 1ST SESSION HOW THEY VOTED FOR CHILDREN LB Adopt the Youth Opportunities in Learning and Occupations Act Introduced and Prioritized by Senator Harr Intent: LB 248 adopts the Youth Opportunities in Learning and Occupations Act, which practices early investment in the young people of this state by teaching young people the skills necessary to succeed in employment. The Act further establishes a fund, which provides grant funding to employers and nonprofit corporations to help teach young Nebraskans both life, employment and career skills needed to fulfill high demand occupations and careers. HARR AMENDMENT (AM936) FAILED (April 10, 2017) LB 327 Mainline State Budget Introduced by the Speaker at the request of the Governor Intent: LB 327 is the mainline appropriations bill for the biennium that begins July 1, 2017 and ends on June 30,2019. This measure includes the budget recommendations for all State operations and aid programs. The bill includes the appropriate transfers from cash funds to the General Fund as well as between specified cash funds. ly, it provides the necessary definitions for the proper administration of appropriations and personal service limitations. BILL PASSED (May 9, 2017) LB 327, MO143 Mainline Budget Line-item Veto Overrides Introduced by the Appropriations Committee Intent: MO 143 to LB 327 seeks to override the Governor s line-item veto in Section 97, Agency 25, Department of Health and Human Services, Program 038, Behavioral Health Aid; Section 104, Agency 25, Department of Health and Human Services, Program 348, Medical Assistance; Section 110, Agency 25, Department of Health and Human Services, Program 424, Developmental Disability Aid. MOTION FAILS (May 17, 2017) LB 335, AM 703 Change provisions relating to a child care market rate survey Introduced by Senator Krist Intent: LB 335, AM 703 limits the existing child care market rate to no less than the 50th percentile or the rate for the immediately preceding fiscal year starting on July 1, 2017 through June 30, AMENDMENT PASSED (March 21, 2017)

5 LB 335 ( Reading) Change provisions relating to a child care market rate survey Introduced by Senator Riepe at the request of the Governor Intent: LB 335 ( Reading) limits the existing child care market rate to no less than the 50th percentile or the rate for the immediately preceding fiscal year starting on July 1, 2017, and for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2018 limits the child care market rate to no less than the 60th percentile for the last three quarters of the fiscal year or the rate for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, BILL PASSED (May 11, 2017) LB 427 Authorize schools and the Department of Education to adopt policies relating to pregnant and parenting students, authorize training regarding such policies, and authorize breastfeeding accommodations for student-parents Introduced and Prioritized by Senator Vargas Intent: LB 427 would broaden statutory accommodation to include breastfeeding mothers who are students in our schools. LB 427 also requires public, private, denominational or parochial day schools, which meet the requirements for legal operation under Nebraska law, to provide for private or appropriate facilities for milk expression and storage for student mothers. LB 427 also includes portions/provisions of LB 428 to require school districts to adopt written policies for the school year to accommodate absences related to pregnancy and child care for pregnant and parenting students. Written policies shall also identify procedures to allow students to return to school, to address participation in extracurricular activities, provide alternative methods to keeping students engaged in school, and support the identification of quality child care. BILL PASSED (May 2, 2017) LB 461 Personal & Corporate Income Tax Reductions through Revenue Trigger; Adopt the Agricultural Valuation Fairness Act Introduced by Senator Smith; Prioritized by Revenue Committee Intent: LB 461 as amended by AM954, would restructure the Personal Income Tax brackets from four to three, reduce both Personal and Corporate Income Tax bracket rates based on expected rate of growth in net General Fund receipts exceeding 3.5% and 4.0% respectively. LB 461 would also phase out the personal exemption credit for married filing join taxpayers of an AGI $400,000 or all other filers of an AGI $200,000. LB 461 would also create a new nonrefundable credit for resident taxpayers equal to $40 if AGI is $28,000 or less for married filing joint filers and $20 if AG is $14,000 or less for all other filers. LB 461 would sunset the New Markets Job Growth Investment Act and the Nebraska Job Creation and Mainstreet Revitalization Act, while increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit from 10% to 12% in LB 461 would also adopt the Agricultural Valuation Fairness Act, which would limit the aggregate agricultural-use value of land increase by no more than 3.5% from the prior year and moving from a comparable sales approach to determining assessed valuation to an income-approach calculation. CLOTURE MOTION FAILED (May 2, 2017) AM 2065 to LB 873 Amend the Urban Affairs Committee Priority Bill (LB 873) with Committee Amendment (AM 2065) that includes both LB 768 and LB 880 as described below: LB Redefine economic development program to include early childhood infrastructure development for cities of the first and second class and villages Introduced by Senator Quick Intent: LB 768 with AM 1685 would authorize cities of the first class, cities of the second class, and villages to make grants and loans under the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act (commonly referred to as LB 840) for early childhood infrastructure development. AM 1586 to LB 768 adds businesses that provide quality early childhood care and education programs to the list of eligible business activities in the definition of qualifying business under the Act. Quality early childhood care and education programs are determined by the quality rating criteria provided under the Step Up to Quality Child Care Act.

6 LB Provide for an early childhood element in a comprehensive plan developed by a city Introduced by Senator Hansen Intent: LB 880 with AM 1792 would require that cities include an early childhood element in their comprehensive plans no later than January 1, 2022, either when adopting a new comprehensive plan or updating an existing comprehensive plan. AM 1792 provides that to meet the requirements of the bill, cities may 1) acquire publicly available data and information from various sources, including the Department of Education and Department of Health & Human Services; 2) use a definition of quality found in existing programs, including, but not limited to the Step Up to Quality Child Care Act, the Sixpence Early Learning Fund, Head Start, and early childhood education programs offered by K-12 school districts; and 3) determine whether an early childhood education program is accredited by a national association recognized by the Department of Health & Human Services. URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AMENDMENT (AM 2065 to LB 873) ADOPTED (March 20, 2018) LB Change certain permit and certificate requirements relating to prekindergarten programs Introduced by Senator Stinner Intent: LB 803 would make the following changes to the Nebraska Revised Statutes: clarifies the use of phrases used throughout statutes related to prekindergarten services, prekindergarten programs, and early childhood education programs; eliminates redundant wording in sections related to the Step Up to Quality Child Care Act; provides that school districts offer full-day kindergarten programs beginning with the school year, equal to the same instructional hours as all other elementary grades; strikes the explicit requirement that all teachers and administrators in prekindergarten programs be certificated and replaces it with granting the Nebraska Department of Education rule and regulatory authority over staff. BILL PASSED (April 11, 2018) LB Change provisions relating to cities of particular classes and villages, correct and include references as prescribed, eliminate obsolete provisions and repeal definitions, provide for interlocal nuisance agreements, to determine population thresholds, redefine certain economic development programs, authorize creation of additional land banks, change comprehensive plans for an early childhood element, authorize short-term rentals, and change provisions relating to the official state slogan and symbol Introduced by the Urban Affairs Committee Intent: LB 873 is a clean-up bill for statutes governing some, but not all, classes of municipalities. As described above, the adoption of AM 2065 incorporated provisions of LB 768 and LB 880, as well as the provisions of four other bills related to municipalities that were heard by the committee. BILL PASSED (April 18, 2018) BILL VETOED BY GOVERNOR (April 23, 2018) LB Adopt the Nebraska Property Tax Cuts and Opportunities Act, change income tax rates, and eliminate certain exemptions and credits Introduced by Senator Smith at the request of the Governor AM 2542 Revenue - MO 313 to bracket LB 947 introduced by Senator Erdman Intent: LB 947 would adopt the Nebraska Property Tax Cuts and Opportunities Act. Under this act residential homeowners and resident individuals paying property taxes on agricultural land and horticultural land, farm sites and improvements on farm sites, would be allowed a refundable income tax credit equal to a percentage of property taxes paid during the taxable year. There would be no limitation amount on the refundable income tax credit. The bill would provide a two-year phase down of the top individual income tax rate as well as the corporate tax rate for all taxable income in excess of $100,000. It also directs the State Treasurer to transfer $5 million from the General Fund to the Job Training Cash Fund and eliminates exemptions under the Personal Property Tax Relief Act and credits under the Property Tax Credit Act to fund the income tax credits and tax-rate reductions proposed in the bill. BRACKET MOTION (Erdman MO 313) FAILED (April 3, 2018) LB 947 INDEFINITELY POSTPONED (April 18, 2018)

7 LB Create the Collaborative School Behavioral and Mental Health Program Introduced by Senator Walz Intent: LB 998 would create the Collaborative School Behavioral and Mental Health Program, with the aim of aiding students who suffer from behavioral and mental health programs by providing them with preventative care or treatment as needed. The program would allow an Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council or an Educational Service Unit to hire a social worker as needed in their area. The ESU Coordinating Council would administer the program and hire a coordinator to oversee the program. The bill would also create the Collaborative School Behavioral and Mental Health Fund to fund the program, which would be implemented once the fund reached $3.6 million from private donations. BILL PASSED (April 18, 2018) BILL VETOED BY GOVERNOR (April 23, 2018) LB Provide a disclosure requirement for certain tax-exempt organizations under the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act Introduced by Senator Kuehn AM 1844 Government - MO 290 to bracket LB 1130 introduced by Senator Chambers Intent: LB 1130 with AM 1844 requires 501(c)(3) and (4) organizations to file a report with the NADC disclosing all revenue sources if the organization appeared on a statement of financial interest as a source of income for a constitutional officer of the state. The report must be filed within 10 days after NADC notifies the organization that it is subject to the reporting. LB 1130 with AM 1844 limits the disclosure requirements of the original bill. Rather than needing to disclose all sources of revenue, an entity is only required to provide the NADC with a copy of its Form 990 Schedule B on file with the IRS. BRACKET MOTION (Chambers MO 290) FAILED (March 22, 2018) LB 1130 INDEFINITELY POSTPONED (April 18, 2018)